In the morning the Governor visited Organic Farm of Shri D.N. Sapkota, a leading farmer in Organic vegetables at Assam Linzey and inspected the farm including the chilli pepper green house and various other organic crops including its preparation and how it is being used in every farming household of Sikkim. Organic farming is a farming method that involves growing and nurturing crops without the use of synthetic based fertilizers and pesticides, Shri Sapkota added. Hon’ble Governor also saw the manufacturing of Vermi Compost and manually produced fertilizers etc.

Major objective for visiting the farms was to know about the methods of Organic Farming in Sikkim and to study about the processing activities, the methods of cultivation of different fruit crops and to have an understanding of the economic activities of a self processing farming unit.The Hon’ble Governor was also briefed about how the mix crops including fruits, vegetables, cash crops are cultivated as an organic vegetation.

Farmers and villagers of Assam Lingzey, GPU and Senior officials from Agriculture and Horticulture Departments shared details about the organic farming and its various methods. Further the Hon’ble
Governor was explained about the importance of Organic farming, packaging practices of various crops and also about its production and Marketing.

During the interactive session, senior officials from concerned department also briefed about the schemes and initiatives provided to the farmers of Sikkim by the state government. Representatives from local Self Help Group also shared their experiences on organic farming and its benefits.

In the afternoon, the Hon’ble Governor visited Sikkim State Cooperative Union (SICUN) and met with the Panchayats and public gathered there where he was informed and briefed about the function of SICUN and ts role in the state of Sikkim.

Hon’ble Governor also visited the ICAR Complex in Tadong which is also an Organic farming Unit and which produces high quality products from nature. During his visit, Power Point Presentation was presented on up gradation of ICAR as a National Organic Farming Institute. Hon’ble Governor also gave away Vanaraja chicken to two tribal beneficiaries under the Vanaraja Chicken Farming scheme.

Hon’ble Governor on his visit to Local Areas expressed his gratitude and appreciated organic farming practiced by the farmers in Sikkim. Talking about the organic farming he appreciated and congratulated
the State, and said that the reason behind the attraction of tourists/outsider in Sikkim is because of practices which has made a mark throughout the globe. He also urged the public and concerned officers to disseminate and create more awareness about the benefits of Organic Farming as much as they can and assured them all possible help from his side.

During the Visit Hon’ble Governor was welcomed with the Token of Love and Affection in the form of Organic Vegetables and Organic Products manufactured by the Self Help Groups.

Siliguri, Sept 8: (IPR) The Governor of Sikkim Shri Ganga Prasad launched a Coffee Table Book titled Shining Stars of Siliguri published by Prabhat Khabar here in a local hotel at Siliguri, this evening. He was accompanied by the Minister for Information and Public Relations, Health Care, Human Services and Family Welfare and Printings Deptts. Govt. of Sikkim Mr. Arjun Kumar Ghatani as the Guest of Honour in special presence of officials from Govt. of West Bengal, media fraternity and eminent personalities from various background. On the occasion, the Governor handed over souvenir and shawl to thirty three felicitated personalities who were addressed as the shining stars of Siliguri.

The Governor, in his address, extended best wishes and congratulated Prabhat Khabar for taking historic initiative to acknowledge the invaluable contributions made by various personalities in numerous capacities.

The governor Mr. Ganga Prasad articulated indispensable relation between Siliguri and Sikkim. He said that an incredible growth in tourism sector of Sikkim has generated employment opportunities for the people of Siliguri and the city also fulfils all essentialities of Sikkimese people, thereby the importance of coexistence between both. The Governor also underlined his deep attachment with the National Daily News paper Prabhat Khabar and its praiseworthy journey of journalism in the three states of India.

He underlined philosophical point of life and drew light on importance and significance of having dedication, strong will power and self confidence to beat impediments and constraints in life to reach the desired goal. He encouraged people to develop sacrificing nature and social centric perception in the interest of the Country and its citizens. Further he emphasized on inbuilt potentialities amongst youths and expectations of the nation in the developmental process.

Addressing the gathering, IPR minister Mr. Arjun Kumar Ghatani applauded the initiative taken up by Prabhat Khabar to felicitate Shining star of Siliguri and congratulated for the publishing of Coffee table book .

He also highlighted various initiatives and activities being accomplished by the state of Sikkim to encourage journalism in democratic scenario and also touched upon initiation of digital media including launching of departmental website called www.ipr.sikkim.gov.in , app of Sikkim Herald, twitter page, facebook page and other publications to reach the public at large.
Further, he talked about the exemplary, unfathomed and path-breaking achievements registered by the state of Sikkim under visionary leadership of Hon`ble Chief Minister of Sikkim Mr. Pawan Chamling and mentioned about the initiatives of the state government such as the Organic Mission, Chief Ministers Rural Housing Mission, Chief Minister`s Comprehensive Annual and Total Check up for Healthy Sikkim(CATCH) Programme, Women Empowerment, Tourism and Hospitality, Ban on plastic items, Literacy mission etc.

He also stressed that journalism should not be restricted to boundaries and mutual coverage of both the states should be done resoectively to encourage the good initiatives and policies.

Mr. R. K. Dutta Executive Director, Prabhat Khabar, in his address, mentioned Sikkim’s connection as synonymous to Siliguri and Darjeeling in context of Tourism development. He talked about the various editions of Prabhat Khabar and it’s publishing from ten places in three different states, its coverage and it’s activities.

Gangtok, 30 May 2018:(IPR) Hon’ble Governor of Sikkim Shri Shriniwas Patil felicitated the only Nomad Shepherd of North Sikkim Kalden Singhi at Raj Bhavan, Gangtok. He also gifted him a book on Guru Padmasambhava and asked about his welfare. This was in addition to a letter of appreciation sent earlier. Mr. Singhi was recently awarded the India Biodiversity Award on International Day for Biological Diversity on 22 May 2018 for shepherding the last flock of Tibetan Highland Sheep (also known as ‘Luk’ or ‘Bhyanglung’) in Sikkim’s trans-Himalayan cold desert. The Award for Conservation of Domesticated Species was presented to him by the Ministry of Forests, Environment, Govt. of India, National Biodiversity Authority and UNDP at a national celebration held this year at Hyderabad. He was nominated for the same by Sikkim Biodiversity Board (SBB) which has its headquarters in the Forest, Environment and Wildlife Management Department (FEWMD), and whose members include among others the Animal Husbandry, Livestock, Fisheries and Veterinary Services Department (AHLFVSD) of the Government of Sikkim. Last year Mr. Singhi was awarded Breed Conservation Award by ICAR-NBAGR at Karnal, Haryana.

Green Circle the Environment Group of Sikkim warmly appreciates the kind gesture accorded to Kalden Singhi by the Hon’ble Governor, as it would go a long way in easing some of the hardships endured in maintaining his last flock. GC also thanks the Sikkim Biodiversity Board, FEWMD for nominating him; AHLFVSD officials involved and ICAR, Sikkim headed by Dr. R. K. Avasthe whose scientist Dr. Brijesh Kumar carried out studies on his sheep. GC also thanks the Lachen Biodiversity Management Committee and Forest officials of North Division for their roles in documenting Kalden Singhi’s work. We recognize that the high cold pastures bordering the North of Sikkim are under the jurisdiction of the Forest Dept. where globally threatened species of wildlife like Snow Leopard and Tibetan Argali, even Black-necked Cranes live in harmony with equally endangered domesticated animals like Yak and Luk, in an area which is home to various medicinal plants and highland wetlands forming the source of River Tista. And hope that the various stakeholders of this unique landscape continue to play their part in reviving the last population of this indigenous sheep breed whose wool or fleece is amongst the best obtained from native ovine breeds of the Indian subcontinent.

Gangtok, May 9: Hon’ble Governor of Sikkim Shri Shriniwas Patil today granted audience to a group of 23 officer trainees of 36th IPS Induction Training Course at New Raj Bhavan in the evening. The group from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy, Hyderabad was led by Dr. K Madhukar Shetty, Dy. Director of the academy.
The group had reached Sikkim on their last leg of North East visit as a part of their mandatory ten days Bharat Darshan programme, an integral component of their training schedule.

Hon’ble Governor while welcoming them to Sikkim, highlighted on the different aspects of Sikkim as a state with special reference to its distinct identity from the rest of the North East and the country.
He gave a brief insight over the history of Sikkim, its democratic transition and how the State has progressed over the last four decades.

Hon’ble Governor in his address to the officer trainees also mentioned Sikkim as the only insurgency free state in the North East, most women friendly and peaceful state, organic, cleanest and greenest, most tourist friendly and other unique characteristics that Sikkim is known nationally.

The officer trainees expressed their delight on having visited Sikkim and hailed Sikkim as a model state on various counts and specifically the law and order and overall cleanliness.

Gangtok, May 2: In a special function held at Raj Bhavan on 2nd May, 2018, Hon’ble Governor of Sikkim, Shri Shriniwas Patil conferred ‘Rajya Puraskar’ to 16 Bharat Scouts & Guides contingents from five different schools of East districts of Sikkim.
Hon’ble Governor also handed over National Level Trainer certificate to Mr. Dhan Raj Gurung and National Level Himalayan Wood Batch certificate to Mr. Khem Raj Sharma on the occasion.
First Lady Smt Rajanidevi Patil, Dr. H.P. Chettri, State Chief Commissioner, Bharat Scouts & Guides, Sikkim, State Secretary and Treasurer of the organisation, Assistant State Training Commissioner of Guides were present on the occasion.
Dr. Chettri briefed the Hon’ble Governor, the Patron of the Bharat Scouts and Guides, Sikkim, about the activities and camps of the Bharat Scouts & Guides, and the competition from which the selected contingents are being awarded Rajya Purashkar.
Hon’ble Governor urged the organisation to remain consistent in grooming the youth to be self reliant and continue be a platform to motivate and encourage the student to aim big in life. The organisation should train the scouts and guides in leadership and selfless service in society, Hon’ble Governor added.
The awardees will now compete for the next year’s Rashtrapati Award through National Level Testing Camp.

Gangtok, March 25:(IPR) Smt. Maneka S Gandhi, Hon’ble Union Minister for Women and Child Development, called on Hon’ble Governor of Sikkim, Shri Shriniwas Patil at Raj Bhavan on her arrival at Gangtok in the evening on 25th March, 2018. On reaching Raj Bhavan, she was warmly received by First lady Smt. Rajanidevi Patil.

It was a courtesy call by the Union Minister who is on a three days visit to Sikkim. She will be visiting various child care centres and shelter homes alongside meeting with stakeholders, government agencies, Women and Child Development functionaries of the State over the next two days.

In a brief meeting, Hon’ble Governor provided a brief insight over the history of Raj Bhavan of Sikkim. He also gave a brief account of the visits of Pandit Nehru and Late Smt Indira Gandhi to Sikkim.

Hon’ble Minister was all praise of the beauty and serenity of Sikkim which she experienced in her maiden visit today. She expressed that Sikkim being land of exotic orchids should work in mission mode to produce and export variety of orchids as a profitable business venture. She also stated that she wants to see Sikkim taking the lead as major producer and exporter of orchids globally besides organic farming, which Sikkim is already leading in the country.

Gangtok, Feb 7: (IPR) Last year students of ‘Morning Walking Group’ Club of Neil Tara Academy launched a beautiful campaign which aimed for the upliftment of disabled persons.

They started making greeting cards and sold them for social cause. The total donation collected was around Rs.14,000/- which was donated to ‘Sikkim Viklang Sahayata Samiti’. The two prominent faces of this campaign Ms. Priya Mishra and Ms. Kalina Pradhan today called on the Hon’ble Governor at Raj Bhavan. They were accompanied by their parents and Principal Mr. Navraj Tiwari.

Hon’ble Governor felicitated them and applauded their hard work. Ms. Kalina Pradhan has also produced a short movie on the true story about ‘Malala Yousafzai’, the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. A copy of this movie was presented to Hon’ble Governor who assured that it will be premiered at Home theatre, Raj Bhavan for the young kids of Raj Bhavan’s employees, so that they can also get inspired to work for the betterment of society.

Hon’ble Governor said that these girls have proved that nothing is impossible. If we take initiatives and use our skills in right direction then we can change the face of society. Hon’ble Governor also congratulated parents and Principal who guided and motivated these girls.